![]() ![]() The 1994 sequel does get points for its two young actors who would go on to Oscar-winning careers: Matthew McConaughey and Renee Zellweger. Chainsaw sequels followed, largely of a sillier variety. The movie made $30 million, according to, and became a horror classic, paving the way for Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees and Freddy Krueger to slash up screens in the late '70s and '80s. "I can't imagine why anyone would want to make a movie like this, and yet it's well-made, well-acted, and all too effective." "And yet in its own way, the movie is some kind of weird, off-the-wall achievement," he wrote. Film critic Roger Ebert noted its gruesome nature in his review, and that its sole purpose seemed to be "the creation of disgust and fright." The film was naturally controversial, though the gore was more implied than splattered. From there, it's on to a seemingly abandoned house, where the chainsaw chaos begins. The gas station has no gas, but there is barbecue to sell. That's where they meet the old man who is later revealed to be the brother to Leatherface and the hitchhiker. The gas station pops up early in the film, as the teens pile out of the lima-bean-green Ford van for a pit stop. We all know the proper answer is, "For the love of God, do not pick him up." But hey, man, it's the '70s. Take the first glimpse of a sweaty Neal on the side of the road, which inspires this well-thought-out conversation among the teens: The film is loaded with bad ideas and "Don't go in there!" moments. ![]() The plot's road trip is memorable nonetheless, following the teens to their unfortunate encounters with Leatherface and his family. ![]() ![]() Screenwriter Kim Henkel told Texas Monthly in 2004 that it was inspired by the acts of two serial killers, Ed Gein and Elmer Wayne Henley. "Īt 14 years old, watching the movie at a Halloween party, I was as scared of that ghostly voiceover and the "true story" notion as much as anything in the film. The film still oozes with creepiness, starting with the idea that it was a true story, including narration by a pre-Night Court John Larroquette: "The film which you are about to see is an account of the tragedy which befell a group of five youths. ("The Delaware Chainsaw Massacre" doesn't have the same ring to it.) Those words seemed to have a greater impact as a notorious Lone Star State incident. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" was a hard movie to ignore, starting with the title. How often are you able to do that? It's kinda like meeting one of your favorite stars." To be able to share that with people, have everybody see it and go, 'Wow, that movie scared me half to death.' You want to have that shock in life, you want to be able to say you did it. "When it comes down to cult classics and iconic movies, 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' has always been one of them. "Honestly, it's just to keep it alive," he says. When I stopped by for a recent visit, Gas Station employee Ben Hughes explained what it was all about. The Gas Station's grand opening included a costume contest and appearances by two actors from Chainsaw: Edwin Neal, who played the squirrely hitchhiker, and Ed Guinn, the wrench-wielding hero at the film's end. Lisa Rose says that it's been Roy's favorite movie since he was 10 years old. The Roses, as you might imagine, are big fans of Tobe Hooper's film. The restoration process was a labor of love for owners Roy and Lisa Rose, who moved from Cleveland to Bastrop to tackle the project. A sign proudly states - just as it did on film - "We Slaughter Barbecue," The Eagle of Bryan-College Station reported. Out back sits a pavilion, along with picnic tables and four newly constructed cabins for Chainsaw fans whose appreciation reaches overnight-stay levels.Īs in the movie, barbecue is served, though visitors won't have to worry about the meat source this time around. Known simply as The Gas Station, the building houses a mountain of horror-flick merchandise. It's a quaint enough spot, well past the charred-tree graveyard from the 2011 wildfires that devastated the area, and nothing that would demand attention from the road.įor fans of the horror genre, however, the building on site will stand out as one of the principal locations of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." It has been restored to look as it did in the 1974 film, and it opened last month as a tourist attraction and lunch spot. BASTROP, Texas - A small slice of movie history sits on a stretch of Texas 304 in Bastrop. ![]()
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